Prelim Results

Mission Viejo ends up second after prelims a little more than 1 point behind Logan. It's tough to make that up at this level, but the kids marched an outstanding show. Great sound and precision...and the boy nailed his solos. More info later.

UPDATE: Now that I'm back at the computer I can tell you a little more about the show. The leading band marches 283 people. Mission is marching 165, but the smaller band gives them the opportunity to do more interesting drill. What was amazing in that stadium tonight was that Mission sounded bigger than every other band that performed, including Logan which has so many more members. The Mission kids rehearse every day on fields that are right next to the I-5 freeway, so they have to learn how to play loud to offset the car noise.

I'm highly biased, but I was rather unimpressed with the Logan show. It's precise, but musically was rather bland and not terribly interesting. Sometimes I think the judges are more impressed with size than quality.

Both bands will perform again tomorrow afternoon, along with 13 other bands which qualified for the finals. Logan will have to stumble and Mission will have to have the show of its life to make up that deficit, but it can be done and these kids can do it.